<!--
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- [Brand](/brand): MPP brand assets and guidelines
- [Frequently asked questions](/faq): Common questions about the Machine Payments Protocol
- [Machine Payments Protocol](/overview): The open protocol for internet-native payments
- [Payment methods](/payment-methods/): Available methods and how to choose one
- [Protocol overview](/protocol/): Standardizing HTTP 402 for machine-to-machine payments
- [Quickstart](/quickstart/): Get started with MPP in minutes
- [SDKs](/sdk/): Official implementations in multiple languages
- [Building with an LLM](/guides/building-with-an-llm): Use llms-full.txt to give your coding agent complete MPP context.
- [Accept one-time payments](/guides/one-time-payments): Charge per request with a payment-gated API
- [Accept pay-as-you-go payments](/guides/pay-as-you-go): Session-based billing with payment channels
- [Accept streamed payments](/guides/streamed-payments): Per-token billing over Server-Sent Events
- [Charge](/intents/charge): Immediate one-time payments
- [Custom](/payment-methods/custom): Build your own payment method
- [Lightning](/payment-methods/lightning/): Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network
- [Stripe](/payment-methods/stripe/): Cards, wallets, and other Stripe supported payment methods
- [Tempo](/payment-methods/tempo/): Stablecoin payments on the Tempo blockchain
- [Challenges](/protocol/challenges): Server-issued payment requirements
- [Credentials](/protocol/credentials): Client-submitted payment proofs
- [HTTP 402 payment required](/protocol/http-402): The status code that signals payment is required
- [Receipts](/protocol/receipts): Server acknowledgment of successful payment
- [Transports](/protocol/transports/): HTTP and MCP bindings for payment flows
- [Use with agents](/quickstart/agent): Connect your coding agent to MPP-enabled services
- [Use with your app](/quickstart/client): Handle payment-gated resources automatically
- [Monetize your API](/quickstart/server): Charge for access to protected resources
- [Python SDK](/sdk/python/): The pympp Python library
- [Rust SDK](/sdk/rust/): The mpp Rust library
- [Getting started](/sdk/typescript/): The mppx TypeScript library
- [Lightning charge](/payment-methods/lightning/charge): One-time payments using BOLT11 invoices
- [Lightning session](/payment-methods/lightning/session): Pay-as-you-go payments over Lightning
- [Stripe charge](/payment-methods/stripe/charge): One-time payments using Shared Payment Tokens
- [Tempo charge](/payment-methods/tempo/charge): One-time TIP-20 token transfers
- [Session](/payment-methods/tempo/session): Low-cost high-throughput payments
- [HTTP transport](/protocol/transports/http): Payment flows using standard HTTP headers
- [MCP transport](/protocol/transports/mcp): Payment flows for AI tool calls
- [Client](/sdk/python/client): Handle 402 responses automatically
- [Core Types](/sdk/python/core): Challenge, Credential, and Receipt primitives
- [Server](/sdk/python/server): Protect endpoints with payment requirements
- [Client](/sdk/rust/client): Handle 402 responses automatically
- [Core types](/sdk/rust/core): Challenge, Credential, and Receipt primitives
- [Server](/sdk/rust/server): Protect endpoints with payment requirements
- [CLI Reference](/sdk/typescript/cli): Built-in command-line tool for paid HTTP requests
- [Method.from](/sdk/typescript/Method.from)
- [stripe](/sdk/typescript/client/Method.stripe): Register all Stripe intents
- [Method.stripe.charge](/sdk/typescript/client/Method.stripe.charge): One-time payments via Shared Payment Tokens
- [tempo](/sdk/typescript/client/Method.tempo): Register all Tempo intents
- [Method.tempo.charge](/sdk/typescript/client/Method.tempo.charge): One-time payments
- [Method.tempo.session](/sdk/typescript/client/Method.tempo.session): Low-cost high-throughput payments
- [Mppx.create](/sdk/typescript/client/Mppx.create)
- [Mppx.restore](/sdk/typescript/client/Mppx.restore)
- [Transport.from](/sdk/typescript/client/Transport.from)
- [Transport.http](/sdk/typescript/client/Transport.http)
- [Transport.mcp](/sdk/typescript/client/Transport.mcp)
- [BodyDigest.compute](/sdk/typescript/core/BodyDigest.compute)
- [BodyDigest.verify](/sdk/typescript/core/BodyDigest.verify)
- [Challenge.deserialize](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.deserialize)
- [Challenge.from](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.from)
- [Challenge.fromHeaders](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.fromHeaders)
- [Challenge.fromMethod](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.fromMethod)
- [Challenge.fromResponse](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.fromResponse)
- [Challenge.meta](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.meta)
- [Challenge.serialize](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.serialize)
- [Challenge.verify](/sdk/typescript/core/Challenge.verify)
- [Credential.deserialize](/sdk/typescript/core/Credential.deserialize)
- [Credential.from](/sdk/typescript/core/Credential.from)
- [Credential.fromRequest](/sdk/typescript/core/Credential.fromRequest)
- [Credential.serialize](/sdk/typescript/core/Credential.serialize)
- [Expires](/sdk/typescript/core/Expires)
- [Method.from](/sdk/typescript/core/Method.from)
- [Method.toClient](/sdk/typescript/core/Method.toClient)
- [Method.toServer](/sdk/typescript/core/Method.toServer)
- [PaymentRequest.deserialize](/sdk/typescript/core/PaymentRequest.deserialize)
- [PaymentRequest.from](/sdk/typescript/core/PaymentRequest.from)
- [PaymentRequest.serialize](/sdk/typescript/core/PaymentRequest.serialize)
- [Receipt.deserialize](/sdk/typescript/core/Receipt.deserialize)
- [Receipt.from](/sdk/typescript/core/Receipt.from)
- [Receipt.fromResponse](/sdk/typescript/core/Receipt.fromResponse)
- [Receipt.serialize](/sdk/typescript/core/Receipt.serialize)
- [Elysia](/sdk/typescript/middlewares/elysia): Payment middleware for Elysia
- [Express](/sdk/typescript/middlewares/express): Payment middleware for Express
- [Hono](/sdk/typescript/middlewares/hono): Payment middleware for Hono
- [Next.js](/sdk/typescript/middlewares/nextjs): Payment middleware for Next.js
- [stripe](/sdk/typescript/server/Method.stripe): Register all Stripe intents
- [Method.stripe.charge](/sdk/typescript/server/Method.stripe.charge): One-time payments via Shared Payment Tokens
- [tempo](/sdk/typescript/server/Method.tempo): Register all Tempo intents
- [Method.tempo.charge](/sdk/typescript/server/Method.tempo.charge)
- [Method.tempo.session](/sdk/typescript/server/Method.tempo.session): Low-cost high-throughput payments
- [Mppx.compose](/sdk/typescript/server/Mppx.compose): Present multiple payment options
- [Mppx.create](/sdk/typescript/server/Mppx.create)
- [Mppx.toNodeListener](/sdk/typescript/server/Mppx.toNodeListener)
- [Transport.from](/sdk/typescript/server/Transport.from)
- [Transport.http](/sdk/typescript/server/Transport.http)
- [Transport.mcp](/sdk/typescript/server/Transport.mcp)
- [Transport.mcpSdk](/sdk/typescript/server/Transport.mcpSdk)
-->

# Lightning \[Bitcoin payments over the Lightning Network]

The Lightning payment method enables payments using Bitcoin over the [Lightning Network](https://lightning.network) within the MPP framework. Lightning supports two intents—**charge** for one-time payments and **session** for prepaid metered access—covering everything from single API calls to high-frequency streaming billing.

The implementation is provided by [`@buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk`](https://github.com/buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk), which extends the [`mppx`](https://github.com/tempoxyz/mpp) SDK with Lightning Network support alongside built-in methods like [Stripe](/payment-methods/stripe/) and [Tempo](/payment-methods/tempo/). The reference implementation uses [Spark](https://spark.money) for wallet and node operations, but the protocol works with any Lightning node or wallet that can create BOLT11 invoices and verify preimages.

## Installation

:::code-group

```bash [npm]
npm install @buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk
```

```bash [pnpm]
pnpm add @buildonspark/lightning-mpp-sdk
```

:::

## Payments on Lightning

Lightning brings a distinct set of properties to MPP:

* **Cryptographic verification**—The server checks `sha256(preimage) == paymentHash` with a single hash operation. Verification is entirely local and self-contained.
* **Synchronous settlement**—Lightning HTLC settlement reveals the preimage atomically. The preimage *is* the proof of payment, available the instant the payment settles.
* **Global and permissionless**—Bitcoin works identically in every jurisdiction. Anyone can participate without accounts, approvals, or special routing.
* **Self-custodial**—Both client and server hold their own keys via Spark wallets. Funds stay under each party's control throughout the entire flow.

## Choosing an intent

| | **Charge** | **Session** |
|---|---|---|
| **Pattern** | One-time payment per request | Prepaid deposit, per-request billing |
| **Latency overhead** | One Lightning payment per request | Near-zero (bearer token after deposit) |
| **Throughput** | One invoice + payment per request | Hundreds of requests per session |
| **Best for** | Single API calls, content access, one-off purchases | LLM APIs, metered services, streaming |
| **Settlement** | Immediate per-request via HTLC | Deposit upfront, per-request deduction, refund on close |

## Intents

<div className="vocs:grid vocs:grid-cols-1 vocs:md:grid-cols-2 vocs:gap-4">
  <a href="/payment-methods/lightning/charge" className="vocs:relative vocs:flex vocs:flex-col vocs:space-y-2 vocs:rounded-md vocs:bg-surfaceTint/70 vocs:border vocs:border-primary vocs:p-4 vocs:no-underline vocs:transition-colors vocs:hover:bg-surfaceTint">
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        <path d="M13 2 3 14h9l-1 8 10-12h-9l1-8z" />
      </svg>
    </div>

    <div className="vocs:text-[15px] vocs:font-medium vocs:text-heading">Lightning charge</div>
    <div className="vocs:text-sm vocs:leading-relaxed vocs:text-secondary">One-time payments using BOLT11 invoices</div>
  </a>

  <a href="/payment-methods/lightning/session" className="vocs:relative vocs:flex vocs:flex-col vocs:space-y-2 vocs:rounded-md vocs:bg-surfaceTint/70 vocs:border vocs:border-primary vocs:p-4 vocs:no-underline vocs:transition-colors vocs:hover:bg-surfaceTint">
    <div className="vocs:size-8 vocs:flex vocs:items-center vocs:justify-center vocs:rounded-lg vocs:border vocs:border-primary vocs:bg-surface vocs:text-accent">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" strokeWidth="2" strokeLinecap="round" strokeLinejoin="round">
        <path d="M2 6c.6.5 1.2 1 2.5 1C7 7 7 5 9.5 5c2.6 0 2.4 2 5 2 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 1.3 0 1.9.5 2.5 1" />

        <path d="M2 12c.6.5 1.2 1 2.5 1 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 2.6 0 2.4 2 5 2 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 1.3 0 1.9.5 2.5 1" />

        <path d="M2 18c.6.5 1.2 1 2.5 1 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 2.6 0 2.4 2 5 2 2.5 0 2.5-2 5-2 1.3 0 1.9.5 2.5 1" />
      </svg>
    </div>

    <div className="vocs:text-[15px] vocs:font-medium vocs:text-heading">Lightning session</div>
    <div className="vocs:text-sm vocs:leading-relaxed vocs:text-secondary">Prepaid metered access with per-request billing</div>
  </a>
</div>